[dynamiclink href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3508950/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Westwall/?curator_clanid=4563585"][/dynamiclink]Welcome to the first Dev Diary for Panzer Corps 2: Frontlines - Westwall, the newest entry in the Frontlines series. 

To get things started we explore the broad idea for this new campaign and share some more general info about it. As this is the second US-themed DLC we’ll also highlight similarities and differences compared to the earlier Frontlines-Bulge campaign.

More Dev Diaries with details about campaign progress, specific battles included, and new additions to the game will follow soon. As with Bulge, the full campaign path, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions are provided later separately

Several details seen in this preview are not final and may still change.

Border Wars

Frontlines - Westwall is played once again from the American side. The DLC depicts the Siegfried Line campaign from ca. mid-September 1944 to early December 1944.

But while the Battle of the Bulge is a quite compact subject – happening in a timeframe of ca. 8 weeks, and in a rather limited area – the Siegfried Line campaign is a somewhat different beast, so let’s get a bit more background first.

Siegfried Line is the term usually used in English for the German border defenses built in the late 1930s. In German these were simply called the Westwall, which made it back into the Anglosphere as the West Wall.

These fortifications were not as extensive as World War I trench lines, nor as impressive as the French Maginot Line with its sophisticated underground installations. Still the Westwall, made of several fortified zones littered with mines, anti-tank obstacles and a myriad of pillboxes, soon posed a serious problem for the Allies.

Outside Germany the existence of those defenses was certainly known, but the Allies had only a vague understanding of the exact locations and depth of the fortifications.

As the Westwall covered nearly the entire German border from the Netherlands down to Switzerland almost everything that happened in fall 1944 on the western front is either part of the Siegfried Line campaign, or at least somehow linked to it.

So in a broad sense this DLC depicts Allied efforts to liberate Western Europe as far as possible – notwithstanding isolated locations still held by the Wehrmacht – with the goal to approach and breach the Siegfried Line to finally enter German core territory. 

To the wall...

We will go more into the details of the campaign in the next diary, but for now only this: Frontlines - Westwall offers a larger variety of battles compared to Bulge. 

Players get to fight in the Low Countries, France, and in Germany, in vastly different settings and conditions ranging from rather open areas with towns and villages in between to heavy terrain covered by dense forest or larger swamps that restrict movement. 

Often maps are a mix of the above, and on top of that several scenarios include larger urban areas protected by extensive fortifications.

Players don’t have to destroy each and every bunker on the map, but may get tasked to clear specific areas or simply need to break through fortified lines to be able to reach the mission objectives.

…and into Germany

But once you are past those fortifications things are not always easier, as German armored reserves may just be waiting there to make their move.

That requires players to balance their cores – of course heavy hitting tanks and tank destroyers rule in the open, but without experienced infantry and artillery support they can quickly get stuck. 

However, if you overdo it on the infantry side to get through the fortifications more easily you may suffer once you get into tank terrain again.

Since we start in late summer the USAAF can play a bigger role in this DLC. On the other hand the Luftwaffe might become a more frequent problem soon, even if it does not have the numbers to challenge Allied air superiority. 

As the campaign progresses adverse conditions like rain and even the first snow may temporarily hamper air operations, but this never gets as serious as in the early stage of the Battle of the Bulge.

The more things change, the more they stay the same

Despite all these differences this is still part of the Frontlines series, so it should be no surprise that there are also similarities to Bulge: 

Frontlines - Westwall includes more battles than Bulge. Since players often ask for longer campaigns this DLC offers a linear campaign, and so the longest campaign path is, well, longer. 

But map scope and detail are very much similar to Bulge, so you can expect detailed maps, and a consistent or near-consistent scale in many scenarios of the campaign. 

Most battles are based on historic developments, so there are no outright ahistorical scenarios. Only the intro is more loosely based on the first US actions at the Westwall, but still has a historic core. 

Sometimes details are changed or added purely for gameplay reasons in various battles - that is no different from any other content for Panzer Corps.

As in Frontlines - Bulge the timeframe of this DLC is somewhat challenging with key developments happening simultaneously, especially early in the campaign.

To deal with this we give players the chance to experience many of these developments in consecutive scenarios, where we just jump in at a certain date, and join the next battle a bit later.

This too is very similar to the approach taken in Bulge, so individual scenarios often focus on key aspects or crucial stages of certain battles. 

Conclusion

That’s all for the first part of this Dev Diary. Hopefully this appetizer gives you a good impression of the new campaign. The next part with more details about campaign progress and some of the battles is not too far away, so watch this space!

We’re excited to announce Panzer Corps 2 – Frontlines: Westwall, the next chapter in the Frontlines series, focused on the critical battles along the Siegfried Line between September and December 1944.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3508950/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Westwall/
After the collapse of German forces in the Falaise Pocket and the liberation of Paris, the Allies turned their attention to the heavily fortified German border. As commander of US Army formations, you’ll lead the charge through fortified zones, dense forests, and urban strongholds, from the outskirts of Aachen to the Saar region in southern Germany.

Frontlines: Westwall introduces a dynamic campaign that evolves in intensity. Early progress will come quickly, but the deeper you advance, the tougher the resistance becomes. The DLC features a wide variety of mission types, fortified enemy positions, and several new units and visual elements to enhance immersion.

If you’re interested in helping us test this upcoming content, beta sign-ups are now open. This is your chance to gain early access and provide feedback on the campaign before release.

Click here to join the beta.

We look forward to your feedback as we prepare to launch this new addition to the Panzer Corps 2 experience.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3714230/Panzer_Corps_2_Elite__Ghost_Division/

Panzer Corps 2: Elite – Ghost Division is now available for $4.99, inviting you to command one of the most iconic units of World War II through a new nine-scenario campaign. This DLC follows the full combat history of the 7th Panzer Division from its early battles in Poland as the 2nd Light Division, through the breakthrough in France, to brutal fighting on the Eastern Front.

Famous for its speed and surprise tactics, the Ghost Division campaign emphasizes momentum and historical accuracy, offering a mix of classic objectives and challenging bonus goals that reward you with rare prototype gear.

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/18363/Panzer_Corps_2__Complete_Edition/

The Ghost Division DLC for Panzer Corps 2 is deeply rooted in real historical events, with the developers carefully tracing the 7th Panzer Division’s wartime path to shape the structure, scenarios, and tone of the campaign. As a tribute to that legacy, here’s an excerpt from the introduction of The 7th Panzer Division in World War II, a book written by veterans to preserve the memory of their unit and offer future generations a deeper understanding of its history.

Thirty years after the surrender of 1945, we published the book “The 7th Panzer Division in World War II,” which won admiration inside and outside of Germany. We did it to remember, and to express our thanks to the men of our division whom we have buried on the battlefields for their final sleep.

Today, another thirteen years later, the contours of war experiences have become less clear through the long passage of time, and even in our own memory many a picture of the service and sacrifice of Rommel’s onetime “Ghost Division” has faded away. Although the reality of the present day surrounds us and the fast pace of time wipes out one memory after another, the general striving for clear historical portrayal has grown stronger, even the younger people want to understand the reality of the war’s events.

For these reasons, there arose the plan to portray the war history of the old 7th Panzer Division once again. By presenting this work, our wish is fulfilled that it may be accepted not only a contribution to the better understanding of our history, but rather this volume of pictures should cause us to reflect and, through constant striving and mutual understanding, be able to build a good future.

Gerhard Hohensee
Honorary President
Tradition Society of the 7th Panzer Division
Summer 1978

Before we begin today, we wanted to just take a quick moment to once thank our incredible community for their overwhelming feedback generated from our Elite – Ghost Division announcement.

Facing the bombardment of hundreds upon hundreds of points of engagement across our various feeds is quite the humbling experience for us; it truly is amazing to really see that so many people have such passion for Panzer Corps. It’s an honor to read so many of your insights, ideas, and yes even criticisms, because it totally demonstrates how much our community really cares. So once again, our deepest thanks to all of our community, we’re absolutely going to continue to do our best to provide you the best Panzer Corps gameplay content we can make.

Now then, on to the Developer Diary!


Welcome to the Elite – Ghost Division Developer Diary and DLC preview.

As Ghost Division swiftly moves towards its May launch date, we wanted to do a little bit of a deeper dive into the upcoming content. We’ve got a whole bunch of cool stuff to showcase, from scenario analysis to revealing our internal thought processes, so let’s begin!

One of the biggest internal objectives we have with these Elite campaigns is to bring back more focus on the classic Panzer Corps combat gameplay, while mostly regulating some of the more whacky and wild elements to optional aspects of the campaign.

The best way to explain this will be to look at some of the scenario design within Ghost Division, so let’s take a look at a couple of maps and see what that’s all about.

The first scenario will actually take place in Poland before the formation of the 7th Panzer Division with its predecessor unit that was known as the 2nd Light Division.


As you can see from that screenshot, Ghost Division is immediately starting on healthy sized maps with significant turn limits, so players can anticipate plenty of action through every step of this campaign.



From your starting positions, objectives are spread out before you in many directions, offering the player ample choice on where to focus their forces as the battle unfolds. And since someone is going to inevitably ask about it, we can talk about the various types of objectives because their design philosophy is important for allowing players the option to disable the turn limit, should you so choose.

Victory Objectives are the conditions that directly control your campaign progression:



These are objectives that must be met and they also instant award scenario victory upon completion, so if you’re hunting for bonuses, make sure to save the Victory Objective for last! These objectives are marked with solid outlines around such hexes.

Prestige Objectives are your primary source of prestige resource income, and they are marked with dotted outlines.



In the past, players have frequently struggled with predetermined prestige settings. Some players will find themselves starving of prestige that effectively ends their ability to repair their forces and continue to wage an effective campaign, while others find themselves so flush with prestige that they basically have unlimited resources at their disposal. By removing almost all predetermined prestige settings and instead populating each scenario with an abundance of bonus Prestige Objectives, we’re hoping to increase player agency in terms of economic management. If you’re starving for prestige, there are very specific tasks you can aim for that will provide huge prestige rewards, while players who feel they have enough prestige can instead bypass some of these objectives to give themselves extra time to tackle Special Objectives.

Special objectives are where we’ve put in some of the more complex and advanced DLC mechanics, and also really ratcheted up the difficulty.



These optional tasks will definitely test your mettle to complete, and they will always offer some pretty fantastic rewards, such as access to unpurchaseable equipment or perhaps a chance to custom pick a new hero’s abilities.

That’s just the beginning of your campaign, and as it progresses, you will find even larger maps with more options on how to approach them laid out before you.


Something else we’d like to aim for in the Elite campaigns is to keep the all important focus on history omnipresent without steering too far into heavy narrative or character-centric elements. While some players absolutely adore deep diving into the kind of writing that frequently colored the Axis Operations series, especially the alternate history branch, we definitely recognize that not everyone was a fan of seeing some briefing dialogue-only scenarios.

Instead, Elite campaigns are going to strive for maximum gameplay with minimum friction to get right into historical Panzer combat. The whole concept of this particular campaign design is to showcase the real history of some of the most elite and legendary divisions that fought during World War II, and we want their heroic exploits to really speak for themselves.


Ideally, we’re going to spotlight every major nation of World War II with this treatment, but of course that is highly contingent on producing campaigns our players really want to engage with, so we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves too quickly on talking about distant plans here.


You have probably noticed some of the awesome imagery we’ve been embedding throughout the various Ghost Division articles, and we wanted to make special mention of them real quick. They’ve all been drawn by the artist Adrián Rodríguez, and we’re super stoked to have them to enhance the characters and events that populate the Elite – Ghost Division campaign!



Because generative AI artwork is such a hot topic though, we thought we’d better briefly talk about it. While generative AI artwork is an incredible technology that is improving by leaps and bounds at an unbelievable rate, we just didn’t feel comfortable utilizing it for any aspect of Panzer Corps 2, past or present. All of our artwork is human made, and all of our writing is human written. One single person wrote all of the base game briefings, and that same person wrote the entire Axis Operations saga without any AI aid. I know this, because that person is me, Kerensky!

So again, while generative AI is pretty amazing stuff, it’s our official position that it won’t ever be utilized in the creation of official Panzer Corps 2 assets, files, or materials.

Now that said, there is no such restriction placed upon the custom modding scene, so if any aspiring modder out there is wondering, you are fully allowed to create mods of Panzer Corps 2 that invoke things such as AI generated briefing VO. In potential anticipation of that, in part of the Panzer Corps 2 update that accompanies the launch of Ghost Division we’re investigation the possibility for custom player mod campaigns to enable their own sets of VO audio files.


We hope you all enjoyed this sneak preview of the upcoming Elite – Ghost Division campaign. Get ready for its imminent release scheduled for May 29th, and then stay tuned for way more Panzer Corps 2 goodies to start rolling out right afterwards as we march towards July 11th Panzer Corps Day, marking our 14th year of working on the Panzer Corps franchise!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3714230/Panzer_Corps_2_Elite__Ghost_Division/

Achtung, Panzer Generals!

We have a surprise announcement to share with you today. Not content to remain resting on our laurels over the recently released dynamic Cyrenaica campaign, Panzer Corps 2 is powering forward with yet another new campaign. Since Panzer Corps 2 is still going strong more than 5 years after our initial launch, we’re looking to add some truly Elite content to our line up of awesome campaigns!

To herald this new campaign, we’ve picked none other than the venerated 7th Panzer Division, perhaps better known as Rommel’s Ghost Division.



There’s a few goals we’re aiming to achieve with Panzer Corps 2’s Elite campaigns, and since this is our first reveal, we wanted to lay them out for our community right off the bat.

The very first thing we want to say is that Panzer Corps 2 is going to join in the fight against increasing inflation, and therefore we’re working towards actually reducing the price of this campaign compared to the standard Panzer Corps 2 DLC price! Panzer Corps 2 wouldn’t be so active with new content and new updates after all this time without our amazing community, and the last thing we want to do is to just hike prices on our loyal community of awesome gamers.

Secondly, we’re aiming to use the Elite campaigns as a vehicle to more rapidly deploy more playable nations into Panzer Corps 2’s campaigns. Now some players of you might be asking why would we start with a German Division in this case, but we’ve got ‘Panzer’ baked directly into our game title and we really want to lean on our strengths for as strong an opening as possible.

Something else we’re going be to experimenting with is longer gameplay timelines. We haven’t seen a campaign cover all of the technology and unit advancement that comes from a 1939-1945 journey since the stock Panzer Corps 2 campaign, and this focus on the achievements of a single division through the course of the war will finally bring that aspect back.

So while we certainly have our plans, in this particular case we’re actually very curious to hear from the community on which WWII faction you are most interested in seeing as a potential new campaign. Is it time for a Japanese campaign in the spotlight, or perhaps you are itching to take the fight to the Axis in a Soviet campaign? Let us know in the comment section!


In all of our research of the enormous amount of Axis and Allied divisions that fought during World War II, one absolutely stood out above the rest in so many ways. From the length of their service stretching all the way from September of 1939 to April of 1945 to some of their extraordinary accomplishments such as the drive to the Channel coast, their feats endure through time in real military analyses of their exploits, in our history books, in inspiring stories we tell, and even in the games we play.

To the Germans, they were designated as the Elite 7th Panzer Division.
To their enemies, they were known as the Ghost Division!

We’ll reveal a lot more information about this new campaign in the days ahead, but for now you can check out this link for some more details and screenshots:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3714230/Panzer_Corps_2_Elite__Ghost_Division/


Did you know that 2024’s Panzer Corps Day was a success way beyond our expectations? On that day, our active population of thousands of players were joined by a surge of over 100,000 viewers watching various Panzer Corps 2 Streams!

Our only regret then was that we didn’t have enough on offer to showcase to so many eyes focused on our game, and so we’re really looking to remedy that this year on July 11th.

In fact, Elite - Ghost Division was originally supposed to come out for Panzer Corps Day, but we put respect on their name and emulated their swiftness with the speed of our development to the point that we’re actually aiming for Ghost Division to launch in May, just this month!

But that also means we’ve got even more, and potentially even bigger, reveals still saved in store to make this year’s Panzer Corps Day celebration way more massive. Stay tuned for an upcoming Elite: Ghost Division Dev Diary and release date announcement, and get ready for a potential multitude of goodies later this year on July 11th Panzer Corps Day!

Panzer Corps 2: Frontlines - Cyrenaica is finally available. This expansion immerses players in the North African Campaign, focusing on the strategic battles for Cyrenaica during Operation E and Operation Compass.



To celebrate the launch, the DLC is available at a 10% discount for two weeks.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/

Players can experience two distinct campaigns, leading both Italian and British forces through historically significant scenarios. Each mission is playable from both perspectives, offering diverse strategic opportunities.

The DLC introduces new units, including the Italian Moto Guzzi TriAlce motorcycle and British Gloster Gladiator biplane, enhancing tactical gameplay. Players must navigate harsh desert conditions, manage supplies, and adapt to dynamic weather challenges like sandstorms.

Innovative mechanics, such as diminishing core slots and hero-based gameplay featuring historical generals, add depth to the strategic experience. Decisions made in one scenario influence subsequent missions, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning.

Additionally, the Panzer Corps 2 saga is discounted by up to 50% for a limited time. Don't miss out and check out our Complete and Frontlines bundles:

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/18363/Panzer_Corps_2__Complete_Edition/

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/51307/Panzer_Corps_2__Frontlines/

The wait is almost over. Frontlines: Cyrenaica, the upcoming DLC for Panzer Corps 2 launches next week on Tuesday, March 11th. Get ready to dive into new battles, expanded content, and exciting strategic challenges.

Yesterday, we showcased Cyrenaica for the very first time on our official Twitch channel. Richard Yorke played the first two missions using GB forces, giving viewers a thrilling first look at the gameplay. If you missed the live stream, don't worry, you can re-watch the entire showcase here: TWITCH

In addition, The Historical Gamer has released an exclusive gameplay video featuring the first mission using the Italian forces. Check it out here:


Stay tuned, another video is coming very soon on his channel.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/

Good morning Generals!

We love the smell of coffee and cigarettes in the morning (yes, that’s our usual breakfast) and here we are with the third and final dev diary, ready to go balls to the walls!

First things first — mark your calendars. Panzer Corps 2: Frontlines - Cyrenaica DLC launches on March 11th. Stay tuned and don't miss it.

So, no more chatter—or as we say in Italian, "bando alle ciance"—let’s jump straight into the major features we’ve introduced in this DLC.

Side note: This diary will tend to be more technical.

First of all, let’s take a look at the features that apply to both campaigns.

New weather condition
We’re in the desert, and what’s worse than something unpleasant, tedious, and unavoidable like sand? A storm of sand.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce a new weather condition: the Sandstorm.
Gameplay-wise, it will do what a sandstorm does: be a pain in the... ahem... reducing visibility, slowing down unit movement, and preventing airplanes from flying.
Of course, it will also come with brand-new and beautiful VFX, with the usual two weather effects options: subtle and strong.

New gameplay dynamics/Custom Objectives
We’ve also managed to introduce new types of gameplay dynamics, such as intercepting enemy units, escaping, and finding lost units, alongside the already familiar ones like deploying mines, protecting or destroying units, and much more. In short, we’ve included a variety of missions that make the gameplay dynamic and never repetitive.
But let’s dive a little bit deeper on the new ones: escape, intercept and find lost units.

Escape
In this type of mission, you’ll need to move specific auxiliary units to designated escape hexes.

Once they reach one of the designated hexes, they will disappear, and a message will update you on the current Objective status. Protecting those units is a key factor to complete the mission.

Intercept
On the other hand, you’ll need to intercept some units that are trying to escape or reach specific hexes.

Their behaviour remains the same as the escape: the unit disappears, and the current Objective status updates. They can be very deceitful.

Find lost units
Last but not least, as we mentioned in the previous dev diary, you’ll need to locate some lost units in the desert.

In both campaigns, you’ll need to find them before the enemy does, or… well, let’s just say it could get worse.

Adaptive AI
What we mean by adaptive AI is that it dynamically adjusts its behavior based on your performance and the evolving situation in the game. For instance, if you're performing exceptionally well and overpowering your opponents, the AI may escalate its response by calling for reinforcements, or switching to more aggressive tactics to regain control of the situation.

Conversely, if the AI finds itself in a losing position, it might prioritize defensive strategies, such as taking cover, retreating to a more secure location, or regrouping with allies to form a stronger front. This type of AI doesn’t just react passively but actively tries to adapt to your style of play, challenging you in new and unpredictable ways.

Integrated Image System
Thanks to the addition of this system in Fall of Poland, we are excited to include the image system in our DLC as well!



We are happy to use it since it enhances the immersion and conveys the events in a more visual and compelling way.

Now let’s land on the Italian perspective and see what are the unique features that characterize this campaign.


New Mechanic: Core Slot Reduction
This is the first time this type of mechanic is used in Panzer Corps 2.
We aim to reflect the struggles of the Italian army and replicate their massive losses. As a result, during the Italian campaign, starting from the Operation Compass (scenario 5), the number of Core Slots will be reduced from one scenario to the next.

Don’t panic! We know you may feel like General Graziani in this portrait, but by completing secondary objectives, you’ll be able to gain bonus Core Slots. Additionally, some hero traits, like Zero-Slot, will help you compensate for these losses.

Hero-Based Gameplay
Since these operations involved many Italian generals, we designed the gameplay, objectives, and rewards based on actual figures who fought or were prominent in these operations, included as Heroes. Therefore, in the Italian campaign, Heroes are a key feature that allow you to create synergy in your army by exploiting their traits, while also helping to manage enemy units. Finally, to stay as historically accurate as possible, the hero traits are primarily based on the characteristics and actions they performed on the battlefield.

For example, General Annibale 'Electric Whiskers' Bergonzoli was partly known, after recognising that the situation in Bardia was hopeless and that it would fall into enemy hands, for having traveled on foot through the desert, retreating toward Tobruk with a few thousand soldiers with him.
As a result, the traits we assigned to him reflect these actions, with Fast Retreat and Phased Movement.


Another example is Enrico Pitassi Mannella, an artillery specialist known among his colleagues as the ‘King of Artillerymen’.
Consequently, the traits we assigned to him are Lethal Attack and Expert Support.

To summarize, in the Italian campaign, you will find many Heroes who will be useful for managing different dynamics, with each one specializing in specific areas, as reflected by their traits.

Retreat and destroy
A general dynamic of the Italian campaign is what we called Retreat and Destroy.

Throughout the Italian campaign, the general feeling will be to retreat toward friendly lines and… destroy. Destroy? While retreating? Well, yes. On some occasions, there were back-and-forth battles where you will be tasked with destroying some enemy units, but also missions that require you to destroy your own supplies, with one of the most notable being the scuttling of the San Giorgio, which we’ve included as a special type of mission.

New bonus mission
As mentioned in the previous Dev Diary, we’ve added a mission specifically for the Italian campaign, that replicates the dynamic of the ship San Giorgio.

Just to refresh your memory, during the attack on Tobruk, the San Giorgio was surrounded by British ships and remained stationary in the port of Tobruk. In order to prevent the resources from falling into British hands, the decision was made to scuttle it.

Therefore, we replicated this dynamic, abstracting it and dividing it into two steps: we assigned a specific truck to collect the materials needed to scuttle the ship—namely explosives—and then deliver them to the area around the ship in the port to sink it.

And then…Kaboom!


Landing on the opposite side, let’s see what characterizes the British campaign.


Coordinate multiple factions
To be accurate, instead of talking about the British faction, it is more correct to talk about the British Commonwealth and its colonies and allies, which includes a vast array of nations supporting them. During this period and in the area of conflict we are covering, we can find some of them: Free France (allied), British India (colony), and Australian divisions (part of the Commonwealth).


For this reason, you'll encounter these factions in some scenarios, allowing you to purchase their units as support and include them in your army.

Scenario Consequences
Consequences will stem from your actions in the current scenario and/or the next one, depending on whether or not you completed the Bonus Objectives.

For example, in this case, defeating the unit led by the hero Enrico Pitassi Mannella not only grants a prestige reward but also causes the morale of the other Italian artillery to drop, lowering their strength, reflecting the chaos and sense of disorientation caused by the lack of leadership—as if they didn’t already lack it…

Completing some Bonus Objectives will not only reward you instantly, but also influence future scenarios, creating tactical and strategic advantages. Sometimes, even failing an Objective could have consequences.

Protect and destroy
A general dynamic of the British campaign is what we called Protect and Destroy.
Throughout the British campaign, in addition to the more common objectives related to cities, there will be objectives focused on protecting your units in the early stages of the campaign, gradually shifting more toward the offensive phase, where you'll focus on destroying enemies, as well as supply dumps, ships, minefields, and anything else that might hinder your progress toward your goal. All for a greater good, of course.


Additionally, on a couple of occasions, you'll be tasked through Bonus Objectives to defeat or destroy some Italian Hero units. Sometimes they’ll try to fight you, and sometimes they’ll prefer to escape.

So, unlike the Italian campaign, which is much more focused on defense and retreat, the British campaign is much more centered around invasion, which we've reflected through more attack-focused objectives.

As they say, the best defense is a good offense, right?

Thanks again for joining us for this third and last Developer Diary on the latest upcoming Panzer Corps 2 DLC Frontlines - Cyrenaica.
You now have what it takes to enter the fray and guide your army to victory… or almost!

Are you ready to bite the bullet, Generals?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/

Good morning Colonels.

We are back and we hope you packed your bag because today we will land in the desert environment, exploring a little bit deeper what happened in Operation E and Operation Compass with an overview on the peculiar historical events, and how we managed to include them in this campaign.

ENVIRONMENT

Let’s start talking about the desert environment: a place where resources are scarce, and sand is your best friend or your worst enemy—mostly because you find it even in places you wouldn’t want to.

We wanted to capture that feeling, and we shaped the terrain to let you make the most of it: dunes provide high ground, escarpments offer cover and vantage points for ranged units, and the map features a good mix of open desert and narrow passages.

Of course, this can be a double-edged sword. Moving across the map isn’t always easy, especially for heavily armored units. It’s all about balance: you have to maximize what you have based on the terrain and never, ever push your army into an area where it will move too slowly and become an easy target for the enemy.

Let’s get practical
In the first Italian map (Sollum), the Regio Esercito is tasked with launching a swift attack to capture the city of Sollum, currently under British control.

The terrain features a vast stretch of dunes, partially enclosed by escarpments in the central and southern parts of the map, while a minor road runs east to west, cutting across the battlefield.

This time, the Italian commander has several options—and they’re outlined directly by the briefing officer himself, General Mario Berti.

One approach is to use the central road, which allows for rapid movement but is guarded by a British outpost and is likely patrolled by additional enemy units. So, what to do? The obvious answer: cut through the open desert and try to surprise the enemy by attacking from an unexpected direction! But it’s not that simple…

Moving through open desert is slow and treacherous, and the player risks losing momentum, stretching their forces too thin, and becoming an easy target for enemy recon units and tactical bombers.

All in all, as Berti himself suggests, a coordinated attack from multiple fronts might be the key to solving this puzzle. But, as always, success depends on multiple factors—many of which are in the player’s hands: what units are in the core army, which traits have been assigned to the commander, and which heroes are available…

In the end, there’s no single “correct” solution—only strategies that align with your playstyle and the resources at your disposal. But whatever approach you choose, it all comes down to a careful analysis of the terrain.

Realism
To maintain historical accuracy, we aimed to stay as true as possible to the real terrain layout, as well as the distances and proportions between key locations. We did our research and based our scenarios on both historical maps and Google Earth to ensure maximum accuracy. That said, this is still a game, so we took a few creative liberties here and there—but only when they enhanced the gameplay.

Additionally, to reinforce immersion, we kept the original place names as they were used by each faction. For example, in this context, Tobruk is referred to as "Tobruch" by the Italians.

Not only sand
We are in North Africa, it’s all desert and sand! Well, not quite.

In fact, along the Cyrenaica there are the so-called “Green Mountains”, that gave us the opportunity to explore variety and create a couple of scenarios where the mountains play a big role. Narrow passages, strategic placements, ambushes and encirclements are the main characteristics of these scenarios. With the British faction you will have to try to penetrate the holdout defense of the Italians, whilst in the opposite case, you’ll have to manage the British rush while covering and retreating when needed.
In both cases, these scenarios offer a different approach to the environment, and, as always, you will have to understand and exploit it to not be doomed.


Additionally, the closer we get to the Green Mountains, the more rivers we encounter. Therefore, we wanted to include them in a few maps, giving them an important role as obstacles to be overcome.

All in all, we can consider the desert environment as a third faction. Making it your ally is up to you!

HISTORICAL EVENTS

For the ones who like history—but also for the ones who don’t like it—you are in the right paragraph. We want to give you an overview of the historical events that inspired us to create some missions and situations in this DLC of Panzer Corps 2.

Operation E and Operation Compass - A rapid overview


Operation E was Italy’s attempt to invade Egypt from Libya in September 1940. Led by Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, the Italian forces advanced about 100 kilometers into Egyptian territory but halted at Sidi Barrani, lacking supplies and strategic coordination. This slow and hesitant advance left them in a vulnerable defensive position.


Operation Compass was the British response, launched in December 1940 under General Richard O’Connor. Despite being outnumbered, British and Commonwealth forces executed a swift and well-coordinated counterattack. They routed the Italians, pushing them back over 800 kilometers, capturing key positions like Bardia and Tobruk, and taking over 130,000 prisoners.

This victory marked a turning point in the North African campaign and exposed the weaknesses of the Italian military in the region.

Peculiar events and historical facts
Throughout these operations, we encountered some peculiar events, which we incorporated as missions within the gameplay. Here are a few of them:

Where are my units?
Starting from one that made us smile a little bit: the lost Italian units in the desert.

When the Italian invasion of Egypt began in September 1940, the Maletti Group, [Raggruppamento Maletti, Major-General Pietro Maletti], lacking experience of desert conditions, got lost leaving Sidi Omar, disappeared and had to be found by Italian reconnaissance.
So we wanted to include this particular episode as a bonus objective in the first map, in both campaigns.

Exploiting the momentum
The Italian plan was to attack Marsa Matruh, but scarce resources forced Marshal Graziani to halt the invasion.
The British were prepared for the Italian advance, but when it did not materialize, they decided to launch a counterattack.
Wavell ordered a limited operation to reconquer Egypt.

Operation Compass, for administrative reasons, was originally planned as a five-day raid but consideration was given to continuing the operation to exploit success, pushing forward into Libya.


On 28 November, Wavell said:
“I do not entertain extravagant hopes of this operation but I do wish to make certain that if a big opportunity occurs we are prepared morally, mentally and administratively to use it to the fullest.”

They truly were, and they seized the opportunity.

Wait, are they attacking us? But I’m still in my pajamas!
During the British advance on Nibeiwa, the Italian air reconnaissance spotted British vehicle movements in the area, but Maletti, who was in command of the Nibeiwa camp at the time, was apparently not informed.

Under cover of the noise from the British artillery bombardment on the east side of Nibeiwa, British tanks and lorries drove around the west side of the camp, misleading the Italians.

The Italian tank crews had no time to react before their tanks were knocked out. The British tanks broke down the walls and drove into the camp, where the Italians had just breakfasted; Maletti held the ground armed only with a machine-gun in his hands and died in battle still in his pajamas.

If we can’t have it, neither can you.
Another episode that highlights how poorly the Italians were prepared and disorganized: the sinking of the San Giorgio ship.

This episode stands as a symbol of the challenges faced by the Italian forces during the campaign.
The San Giorgio, a heavily armed cruiser stationed in Tobruk, was considered a valuable asset for coastal defense.

However, due to a lack of coordination, proper planning, and efficient execution, as well as being encircled by British ships, the Italians were forced to scuttle the San Giorgio to prevent its resources from falling into British hands.

The sinking not only reflected the broader logistical and operational shortcomings of the Italian military but also demoralized the forces stationed in the area, further complicating their already precarious position in the war.

Visual Addition
To enhance immersion, provide an overview of events between maps, and give more context on army movements, we have added visual elements between certain scenarios.

These additions will help you understand the geographical positions and support the narrative layer.

CONCLUSION

Thanks for joining us again in this second Dev Diary. Now that you know what you will face and you have your bags packed, we are ready to go balls to the wall!
See you in the third and final Dev Diary.

At ease, Colonels.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/

Good morning, Lieutenants!

Welcome to the first Developer Diary exploring the upcoming Frontlines - Cyrenaica DLC Campaign for Panzer Corps 2.
There’s all kinds of interesting details to be found in the latest upcoming Panzer Corps 2 Campaign, so let’s dive into it!

The campaign depicts the Battle of Cyrenaica from mid-September 1940 to mid-March 1941.
In the summer of 1940, a German attack on Great Britain seems imminent. Seeking a place among the victors, Italy launches a surprise offensive from Libya into British-controlled Egypt. This marks the beginning of the North African Campaign.
This campaign covers the operations known as Operation E (the Italian invasion of Egypt) and Operation Compass (the British counterattack to the Italian invasion, and the successive invasion of Libya).


In line with the Frontlines series, these campaigns will be shorter but highly intense. This focused approach allows us to present specific operations in greater detail.

These operations are often overlooked in history books or quickly summarized to focus on the “core” events of World War II. However, these operations were crucial in shaping the decisions of both sides and were pivotal to the events that followed.
So, we want to dive deeper into them as we believe they are worth being shown and played in a dedicated DLC Campaign.


Given their nature as “rapid battles”, the Frontline series is perfectly suited to showcase their importance, as these battles are primarily fought in cities or within a few kilometers, offering a zoomed-in and more detailed approach.



For the first time in Panzer Corps 2, we want you to experience the same battles from both perspectives, each one with their own perception of the events and different objectives to achieve victory (well, almost!). For each campaign you will create and command your core army for both factions: the Italians and the British Commonwealth.

Talking about Italians and British Commonwealth, you will primarily face off against the 10th Army for the British and the 7th Armoured Division for the Italians, along with the Commonwealth forces that supported them: the Free French, the 4th Indian Division, and the 6th Australian Division.


Although the Italians had numerical superiority, their vehicles and firepower were far less effective than those of the British Commonwealth. We’ve aimed to capture this dynamic in both campaigns.


On top of that, we want to give space to all the prominent personalities present on the battlefield. You will encounter —and be able to use— a variety of heroes who played key roles in these battles, each one with traits that better reflect their real-life actions and contributions.

In this campaign, we want to give more depth to the personalities who shaped the events at a higher level. We’ve created detailed portraits of key generals and governors, each with multiple expressions that reflect different situations. These figures will not only appear in briefings, but will also provide a narrative thread throughout the campaign, offering more immersion and context.



For the Italian forces, among others, you'll encounter Generals Mario Berti and Giuseppe Tellera, Commanders of the Tenth Army, and General Rodolfo Graziani, the Governor of Libya. Graziani’s controversial decisions had significant consequences in the desert battles, and you will directly experience the consequences of his choices.



On the British side, General Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, and General Richard O'Connor, known for his bold leadership during Operation Compass, will guide you through the campaign.
By integrating these historical figures into the narrative, we aim to enrich your experience, providing both strategic guidance and an immersive story that brings the decisions of the generals to life.


Last (for now) but not least, here are some of the units from both factions that you can expect to encounter.

The primary armored vehicles used in these battles were the M11/39 and the M13/40 for Italy, and Cruiser Tanks and Matilda II for the British.

Talking about the air force, you will find the Fiat CR.42 Falco and the Gloster Gladiator, which often engaged in 1v1 aerial duels over the skies of Cyrenaica.

But overall, a very important role was played by the recon units, such as the British Morris CS9 or the Italian AB40. Their high mobility in the challenging and hostile desert terrain provided a significant advantage to the factions that used them most effectively.

In addition to them, we wanted to add some new and peculiar units that played a main role in these operations.

Moto Guzzi TriAlce
The Moto Guzzi TriAlce was a versatile and nimble motorcycle designed for quick maneuvers and transport. Produced in 1939 to replace the Moto Guzzi GT 20, it was used extensively in all three of its versions: single-seat, two-seat, and sidecar.
Armed with a Breda M37 8mm machine gun, the TriAlce saw action in almost every battle.
A very useful and, in fact, used Recon unit.

Ascari del Cielo (Black Devils)
The Ascari del Cielo, also known as the “Black Devils,” were the first paratroopers of the Italian Army, although they were never used as airborne units in combat situations.
They were composed of Libyan personnel of Arab-Berber ethnicity, with extensive knowledge of the terrain and the desert.
During the North African campaign, they were heavily deployed as infantry.

Mortaio da 81 mod.35
The Mortaio da 81 mod.35 was one of the most versatile and widely used weapons by Italian forces during the North African campaign in World War II. Developed in 1935, this 81mm mortar was praised for its combination of mobility and effectiveness on the battlefield. Its relatively lightweight made it easy to transport across the challenging desert terrain, where speed and adaptability were crucial for providing vital indirect fire support to Italian infantry units.

Cannone da 65/17
The Cannone da 65/17 was a lightweight and versatile artillery piece used by the Italian Army. Designed as a mountain gun, it was highly portable, easy to dismantle, and well-suited for challenging terrains, like the North African desert.
This gun served as both an artillery piece and an anti-tank weapon, though its effectiveness against modern tanks was limited. However, its simplicity, mobility, and durability ensured its continued use, despite being pretty outdated by World War II standards.

RR Armored CarThe Rolls-Royce Armored Car was a robust vehicle designed for both mobility and firepower, primarily used as a recon unit due to its high mobility.
Rolls-Royce played a significant role in the construction of this vehicle, as well as in the development of the Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine, which powered some of the most iconic aircraft of World War II, including the Spitfire, the Hurricane, and the Battle.

Cruiser Tanks (MKII - MKIII)
Cruiser tanks were a series of fast and agile tanks, each one improving upon its predecessor. Since various types of Cruisers were used, we aim to “complete the series,” adding the MKII and MKIII to offer more choice and enhance historical accuracy.

The Cruiser MKII, also known as the A10, was a heavier version of the MKI, armed with a QF 2-pounder 40mm gun and two BESA 7.92mm machine guns.
Designed to be an infantry tank, it lacked the necessary characteristics and was instead used as a heavy cruiser.

The Cruiser MKIII, also known as the A13, was the first tank of its class to use the Christie suspension system, which significantly enhanced speed and cross-country performance.
This innovation made it faster and more maneuverable than its predecessors, allowing it to operate effectively as a medium cruiser and play a key role in the desert campaigns of North Africa, where mobility and speed were crucial.

Bofors 37mm PortéeThe Bofors 37mm Portée was an adaptation of the Bofors 37mm anti-tank gun, modified to increase mobility in the challenging terrain of North Africa. The gun was mounted on vehicles, such as trucks, allowing for quick transport across the battlefield.
Its armament was capable of penetrating the armor of light and medium vehicles with relative ease, but its effectiveness decreased as tank armor improved, and it was gradually phased out during the course of World War II.

To wrap things up, here is the complete list of new units arriving with this DLC, expanding your strategic options on the battlefield.

[expand type=details expanded=false]Italian

• Moto Guzzi TriAlce
  
• Ascari del Cielo (Black devils)
  
• Mortaio da 81 M35
  
• 65/17 M13

[/expand]

[expand type=details expanded=false]British Commonwealth

• Bofors 37mm AT Portée
  
• RR Armored Car
  
• Gladiator Mk.II
  
• Hurricane Mk.I (Tac R)
  
• Cruiser Mk.II
  
• Cruiser Mk.III
  
• AU Engineers

[/expand]

That’s all for this first Dev Diary, thank you for joining us.
Start packing your bags and get ready to face desert conditions, sandstorms, and tackle the unique events you’ll encounter.
In the next Dev Diary, we’ll dive deeper into the environment and some key historical events, exploring how they’re integrated into this Panzer Corps 2 DLC.
See you there.

At ease, Lieutenants!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3167270/Panzer_Corps_2_Frontlines__Cyrenaica/